![\"free](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings.png\")
<\/div>\nIn response to these woes, Google has made a big announcement: it\u2019s now free for merchants to sell on Google. This is designed to help support businesses that want to sell online but are struggling to find the budget to do so. Google Shopping ads will still appear in the SERP (Search Engine Results Pages) on mobile and desktop-like they appear before.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings-1.jpg\")
<\/div>\nWhen you consider the sheer volume of product-related searches completed on Google in a day (and many more searches being made daily thanks to everyone in-home quarantine), this means that retailers have the opportunity to connect with millions of new customers.<\/p>\n
How can you beat free exposure!?<\/p>\n
Naturally, with an announcement this large and significant, there are several questions and concerns that arise.<\/p>\n
How Can I List My Products On Google Shopping For Free?<\/h2>\n
The first question is obvious: how do I take advantage of Google\u2019s free shopping listings? It\u2019s easy. First, you need to create a free Google Merchant Center account. Google will walk you through this process.<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll be asked for a data feed of your products. This could be a spreadsheet (either you can upload yourself or link with Google sheet), you can link with API or some hosted file from the website. This contains data about your individual products. Google uses this information to quickly understand every product you have in order to connect them to relevant customers and searches.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings-2.jpg\")
<\/div>\nIn the spreadsheet, each product is represented by a row, while the attributes of that product are organized by columns. You need to include certain attributes for Google to create a shopping listing from your product data:<\/p>\n
- \n
- ID: <\/strong>This is the alphanumeric tag that you use to identify each unique item and variation<\/li>\n
- Title: <\/strong>The name of each product, which will also be the text for the product link to your website.<\/li>\n
- Link: <\/strong>This is the URL link that will connect the shopping listing to the same product listing on your website.<\/li>\n
- Description: <\/strong>You have up to 5,000 characters to describe your product and explain what makes it great. This is where you want to target certain keywords that will help Google connect more searches to your products.<\/li>\n
- Image Link: <\/strong>The URL address of the product image that you use on your website for each item.<\/li>\n
- Price: <\/strong>How much each item costs. The price in your data feed needs to be the same price on your website.<\/li>\n
- Brand: <\/strong>The brand name of each product.<\/li>\n
- Global Trade Item Number: <\/strong>This is a universal item number that products have. If you aren\u2019t sure, Google will help you assign a GTIN to your items.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
These are the basic columns you need to present in order to have your data feed approved by Google Other than above mentioned you can use product type, price, color, size etc. as well.<\/p>\n
Make sure that all your information in this spreadsheet is 100% accurate.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings-3.jpg\")
<\/div>\nWhat If I Am Already Advertising On Google\u2019s Shopping Network?<\/h2>\n
Current Google Ads<\/a> users are likely wondering, \u201chow can I get in on free shopping lists on Google?\u201d If you enter your Google Merchant Center, look on the left-hand menu for \u201cManage Programs.\u201d From there, you\u2019ll find an option for \u201cSurfaces across Google.\u201d By selecting this, your products will begin to appear in free listings.<\/p>\n
Who Is Eligible For Google\u2019s Free Shopping Listings?<\/h2>\n
Almost any retailer in the US can take advantage of free product listings on Google. The only restrictions are for retailers that sell illegal, regulated, or sensitive products. Google has a list of prohibited items on their support page.<\/p>\n
The free listings are expected to go live by the end of April. Afterward, Google will begin to expand these no-cost listings globally.<\/p>\n
How Will Google\u2019s Free Shopping Listings Impact Paid Ads?<\/h2>\n
If you are already running ads on the Shopping Network, you\u2019ll still be able to continue your paid campaigns. Your ads will appear alongside the free, organic listings now being offered. Paid product results will likely command the top, most visible spots. Then, free listings will take up the remaining real estate.<\/p>\n
Thus, there is still value in paying for shopping ads, even with this major change. It\u2019s also worth mentioning that these free listings are only for the shopping tab. Regular search results, campaigns on the Google Display Network, and YouTube\/Gmail ads are still paid-only activities.<\/p>\n
How to measure unpaid clicks?<\/h2>\n
It is not currently availably but soon, you can view your unpaid clicks in the new performance report for surfaces across Google in Merchant Center by selecting \u201cPerformance\u201d and then \u201cDashboard\u201d in the left navigation.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings-4.jpg\")
<\/div>\nHow To Optimize Your Free Product Listings From Google<\/h2>\n
Need some help in optimizing your free product listings on the Google Shopping Network<\/a>? Here are a few tips to get you started.<\/p>\n
1. Proofread Your Data Feed, Seriously!<\/h3>\n
This was mentioned earlier, but it is worth saying twice: make absolutely certain that your data feed is accurate! Even though Google is allowing for free product listings, it doesn\u2019t mean that they are going to lower their standards! Google expects that the information in your data feed is the same that customers will find on your website.<\/p>\n
If it\u2019s not, Google may reject your data feed, which will further delay your chance to capitalize on this great opportunity!<\/p>\n
2. Product Titles Are Key<\/h3>\n
Since your product titles act as the title of your shopping listing and the link that potential customers will click, it has a lot of power. You need to make your titles enticing so that they drive clicks and visits to your store.<\/p>\n
You should optimize your title based on what people search for. If you aren\u2019t getting good results in a month or so, consider changing some of your product titles.<\/p>\n
3. Product Images Sell<\/h3>\n
Next to the title, your product images are the next biggest component for driving potential visitors to your online store. You want your images to stand out from the competition. Ideally, you want your product images to be as high-quality as possible because customers don\u2019t want to see low-resolution shots.<\/p>\n
![\"google](\"https:\/\/www.ppcexpo.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/free-google-shopping-listings-5.jpg\")
<\/div>\nOne effective strategy is to look at the products already listed for the same type of products. Are they all on a similar type of background? Do any of them show the item in use? Finding a unique way to showcase the product can help you stand out from the other product images.<\/p>\n
Similar to your product titles, your product images should also be changed if you aren\u2019t seeing good results. Just be sure that you wait a month or two before making any alterations to your listings. This will give your data time to mature!<\/p>\n
Wrap up<\/h2>\n
One thing is for certain: Google just handed businesses a major opportunity! With more consumers stuck at home shopping online than ever before, businesses that are struggling with closures can find a new life online with the help of free shopping listings!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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- Title: <\/strong>The name of each product, which will also be the text for the product link to your website.<\/li>\n